1944 Unaccounted Airmen Reconciliation Thread

[wwrsimon]

Hello again

The rest of the Polish casualties, again courtesy of the PHS:

Pulkownik Franciszek WIEDEN (P/1484) - died at Victoria Hospital, Blackpool.

Plutonowy Jan Stanislaw MIKLINSKI (P/704684) - died in hospital (Gallowhill?), buried Morpeth.

Starszy Sierzant Kazimierz KALINOWSKI (P/784884) - died at Loughborough, no further details.

Starszy Sierzant Boleslaw SOBCZYK (P/793279) - died in hospital in Nottingham after surgery. The National Probate Calendar records that he died at The City Hospital, Nottingham.

Plutonowy Stanislaw CIESLIK (P/781660) - killed in Tiger Moth DE157, which crashed near Pepplewick, Notts.

Porucznik Feliks NOWAK (P/2284) - killed in Mosquito DT244, which crashed on a night training flight. Soon after taking off on a sixth circuit, spun in and crashed at Haughmond Hill, Shropshire. A glycol leak was found to be the cause of the crash.

Kapral Leopold JANCZEWSKI (P/706795) - killed in Tiger Moth T7689, crashed after overshooting at Hucknall when he collided with another aircraft flown by S. Witkowski, who was unhurt.

Szeregowiec Jan SZREDER (P/703588) - somply records that 'he died' - no further details. Death registered Midhurst, Sussex.

Starszy Sierzant Antoni MALINOWSKI (P/782781) - killed in Corsair KD262, which crashed into a hill in bad weather and limited visibility on a flight from Makrafuram to Madras.

Kapral Bogdan DZWIGAJOWSKI (P/705188) - died at the Paderewski Hospital, Edinburgh, name recorded as DZWIGAJEWSKI. He's in the Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website under that name, and he died at 11.45 p.m., due to sub-acute bacterial endocarditis of aortic valves, congestive heart failure and infarctions of spleen and kidneys.

Regards

Simon

[CZ_RAF]

Hi all, some BC casualties with clear cause of death:

Pilot Officer Peter Albert NASH (172182) Pilot

On Saturday 6 May 1944 twenty-two year old Peter Nash was severely injured when travelling along the perimeter track out to dispersal he fell from the running board of the small car into which his entire crew was crammed and landed badly, despite treatment in the SSQ and a prompt transfer to Lincoln Military Hospital sadly he died as the result of his injuries on 15 May leaving his crew without a captain.

https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/117059/
---
Pilot Officer Bernard Montague LUCKETT (171068)

Lincolnshire Echo 18th May 1944: Paratroops Bound Over in "Triangle" Drama. Aubrey Douglas Webb (22), paratroop sergeant, who had pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Bernard Montague Luckett, RAF pilot officer living in Oxford, at Berkshire Assizes, at Reading today, was bound over on probation for two years. The jury found Webb guilty and recommended him to mercy and Mr. Justice Atkinson deferred sentence until today. Evidence was given that Webb and his wife, a member of the ATS, had been estranged, but were celebrating a reconciliation. They had been playing darts in a public house near Oxford when Mrs. Webb went outside and was followed by Luckett who was once engaged to Mrs. Webb. Luckett was found dead on the pavement, his head on Mrs. Webb's lap. Webb gave evidence that Luckett seemed to be embracing his wife. He hit Luckett only once in the face and he fell, striking his head on the pavement. Mrs. Webb, a pretty blonde, said that she was feeling faint and Luckett put his arm about her shoulder. Webb's commanding officer said that Webb was an exemplary character, was chosen from a large number of volunteers for his parachute unit.


https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/217229/
---
Flight Sergeant Ronald Edward POPE (1433634) Air Gunner

Driffield Times 6th January 1945 “BEVERLEY Inquest.—A verdict of ‘Accidental death’ was recorded at Beverley on Friday on Flt.-Sergt Ronald Edward Pope, aged 23, of 45, Melrose-avenue, Lordship Lane. Wood Green London, N22. Pope was passenger in a R.A.F. motor vehicle driven by Flt.-Sergt. C. W. Johnson on the Beverley-Hull road, going to Hull on Christmas Day. When taking a bend near the school at Woodmansey the vehicle skidded and collided with the fence. Pope was thrown out of the vehicle and received severe crushing Injuries to the chest. He died some two hours later in hospital at Beverley.

https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/222630/
---
Flying Officer Desmond Felix Anthony Faustin SMITH (157951)

Died in a road traffic accident

https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/225967/
---
Flying Officer William Robb LUNAN (146459)

From 239 Sqn ORB : "Found to have been shot..by his own hand. An inquest will discover the full details but preliminary inquiries indicate suicide."

https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/217259/


Pavel

[CZ_RAF]

One more I have missed:

Leading Aircraftman Guy FERNSBY (2202536)

Died in an accident in Lincolnshire when a RAF petrol tanker backed up and ran him over. His funeral was held at Barkby parish church, when the bearer party was provided by Leicester airmen. The service was conducted by Rev T.R.J. Avery, Rector of Lutterworth and former Vicar of Syston, assisted by Rev L.W. Watkin, Vicar of Barkby. It was attended by his widow and mother, his elder brother Lieutenant Ronald Fernsby, and his twin brother, Rev Jack Fernsby.

https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/107543/

Pavel

[CZ_RAF]

Warrant Officer Emrys HOPKINS (1315559)

see Simon's pots in this thread:

"he R.C.A.F. Service File for F/Sgt A. M. McClelland has a 'Post Presumption Memorandum 566/47' for EW885, dated 22.4.47, which includes the names and service numbers of the crew missing in EV855, Hopkins included."

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...9-204-Squadron

Pavel

[wwrsimon]

Hello

Some of the UK losses:

Sergeant William Charles WRIGHTSON (917801) - the Surrey Mirror and County Post of February 11th 1944 reported the inquest into his death, and recorded that he died of injuries sustained in an accident involving a Jeep on January 1st. An eyewitness stated that he accident occurred at 2.30 p.m. on the main Brighton road at Salfords, when it overturned after hitting a kerb. It was carrying four R.A.F. personnel, and Wrightson suffered multiple injuries including a fractured skull. He had been making good progress in hospital, but developed septic meningitis, which caused his lung to collapse. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

Aircraftman 2nd Class Kenneth Paterson ADAMS (3011286) - the Newcastle Evening Chronicle of January 19th 1944 reported the inquest into his death. He was found dead in the bathroom of his home in Jarrow, death being due to asphyxia due to a vest tied round his neck. The inquest could find no satisfactory explanation for the circumstances, it being suggested that he had suffered a fit after having jest eaten a hearty breakfast, or been larking, and the Coroner returned a verdict of “death from asphyxia, there being no evidence to show how he came by his death.”

Aircraftman 2nd Class Harold HARRISON (1596071) - the Newcastle Journal of March 7th 1944 reported the inquest into his death. It records that he died after being knocked down by an Army lorry whilst marching on the Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London. He had been in the R.A.F. for only seven weeks. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

Leading Aircraftman Edward APEDAILE (867174) - the Newcastle Evening Chronicle of March 29th 1944 reported the inquest into his death. He and a party of around 30 had just returned to their billets at midnight in the lorry after dance. He was sitting at the back of the lorry, dismounted, and was found lying in the road after the lorry had reversed. A verdict of Accidental death was returned.

Sergeant John George SMITH (1097090) - Dakota KG369 - see Though Without Anger, Cummings, page 255-256.

Sister Margaret Rutherford IRVINE () - the Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website records that she died at Tor-Na-Dee Hospital due to Pulmonary TB, from which she had been suffering for two years and one month, and a fractured spine which occurred the day before her death.

Regards

Simon

[CZ_RAF]

Flight Sergeant Gordon Cowan JOHNSTON (544135V) Air Gunner

21 Sq SAAF stated:

Last Baltimore to take off crashed after take off near runway. Pilot (2/Lt Lecocq - Belgian), observer and WOP managed to escaped without serious injury but the AG (F/Sgt G. C. Johnson) was trapped and all attempts to save him failed. The remains of the body were later gathered to be buried.

No Baltimore serial stated, also here no additional info


http://www.southafricawargraves.org/...s.php?id=11344

Pavel

[wwrsimon]

Hello again

Aircraftman 1st Class David DOUGLAS (1374193) - he's 'accounted for' I think:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...830#post145830

Aircraftman 2nd Class George MURRAY (965164) - the Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website records that he died at 41 Fulbar Road, Glasgow, due to Pthisis Pulmonaris. He is recorded as being a 'Chemist's Dispenser (R.A.F. Pensioner).'

Warrant Officer John Samuel DEE (358989) - the Statutory Deaths Register on the Scotland's People website records that he died at the Astley Ainslie Institute, Grange Loan, Edinburgh, due to bronchial carcinoma.

Regards

Simon

[CZ_RAF]

Hi all,

Aircraftman 1st Class James Redvers WILKINSON (1126749)
Corporal Leonard Frederick GEORGE (934009)

both died on 24-08-1944.

72 Sq ORB:

24.8.44 „A“ Party convoy moved off again at 08,00 hrs and at 09.15 hrs a serious accident occured 3 kms north of Comps and 1 km from Jabron, when one of the 3-tonners struck the back of a 43 Sq 3-tonner at a dangerous point. 43 Sq vehicle was overturned, 72 Sq vehicle ran off the road and overturned several times down a steep bank. Cpl George of 43 Sq was killed and LAC Wilkinson, Armourer (1126749) died of injuries within an hour or so.

Cpl George is confirmed by 43 Sq ORB where he is menioned includding his service number BUT he has incorrect date of death as 1944-08-02 in the CWGC DB and also on all original documents including his gravestone. I have already contacted the CWGC and I hope they will correct his date of death from 2nd to 24th Aug 1944.

Pavel

---

UPDATE 10.7.2020:

The Unaccounted Airmen and Airwomen Project helped to correct an old mistake:

Dear Mr Vancata,

Thank you for your email below.

Having investigated this case, i have confirmed that Corporal Leonard Frederick George died on the 24th August 1944 and not the 2nd.

I have therefore amended our internal database to reflect that date and this change should replicate on our website within the next 24 hours or so, please do feel free to check.

I have also placed a headstone amendment request into our works programme which will be assessed by one of our works teams when they are next on site. If an amendment in situ is possible this will be carried out in due course however if a replacement stone is required this will add some time to the process.

Given the present situation where many of our works teams are only just returning to work, i cannot provide you with any sort of definitive timescale to its completion but rest assured, matters are now in hand.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Kind Regards


Martin Skelly
Records Administrator Headstones

[CZ_RAF]

Sergeant Alexander James CRAMMOND (531808)

511 Sq ORB
2.12.44
York MW116 and C-87 EW629 were both damaged when the C-87 aircraft which was being towed collided with the York.
York MW116 caught fire while being defuelled. Sgt Crammond and Sgt xxx, Servicing Wing Personnel, were badly burned in their effort to check the fire spreading, the injuries of Sgt Crammon having since proved fatal.


Pavel

[CZ_RAF]

Sergeant Harold TATTON (8846)

650 Sq ORB
15.10.44

At approx. 23.05 (badly readable) hours, an Anson aircraft LT436 (badly readable) of SPTU Cark, crashed into a hut in which personnel of 650 Squadron were sleeping, on take off.
As a result 8846 Sergeant H. Tatton, a Fitter II, sleeping in the bunk-room of this billet, died almost instantaneously from injuries received in this accident.

Pavel